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Paris route is ok.  we use it most of the time when going to the Dordogne.  My reservation in what you say is that you will be travelling on a Friday on the 3 weekend of July - this will be a busy 'exodus'  weekend for many Parisiens.  If you can get through before 2pm ish then it might be ok.  Also be prepared for queues at tolls to the south of Paris from mid-afternoon onwards. 

We have never found traffic congestion a problem nor has towing the van on the Périph been a problem.  There is a route further to the east avoiding the Périph which I use too - but it's not really that much different time or traffic wise.  Approach Paris with a full tank you don't want to be looking for a service station.

Hi Nick

Much would depend on when you hit Paris on a Friday, and 3rd week July might be compounded with start of a French holiday departure. Although rumour has it that less French people are going on a major summer holiday, so in general, congestion may be less this year.

My choice with a long outfit, would be to go via Rouen, stay with the autoroutes, ( assumiing you are happy to pay), A28 to Le Mans, then on to Angers, and head for the A83 coast road, past La Rochelle. 895 kms by Michelin vs 810kms Paris, 1hr extra driving,but a lot less hassle, and misses a potential 2/3 hr elay round Paris. Overnight stay north of Le Mans, or south thereof if you are ahead of yourself.

Return trip on a Sunday, again depends on how many weeks you are away, but I would be wary of the French holiday return/changeover, when a lot come back home, and a fresh lot go.  Try it if you really want to see that route, but if you are sailing out of Zeebee, you certainly don't want to miss your boat.

FM